Dallas Stars: Ben Bishop Making All The Difference For Team

Although the Dallas Stars still have a ways to go, the addition of Ben Bishop to the squad is causing a noticeable change in the on-ice outcome of their play.

It’s late into the second period of the last of a two-game match up between the Stars and the Coyotes. The Stars have played well to come back from behind early on, but have lost some focus in the second period and the Coyotes have taken advantage.

It’s tied up at two and both teams are surging with adrenaline, trying to pull ahead. Then, Alexander Radulov stumbles into a giveaway and Derek Stepan readies himself for the hat trick. It seems like the Stars will fall behind for the second time in the game.

But then, Ben Bishop. In a spectacular display of gymnastics, agility, and his keen ability to make his size count when it really matters, Bishop executes a dramatic poke-check, robbing the Yotes of a pretty much expected lead going into second intermission.

It’s only one simple- albeit dramatic (it inspired the Razorism “lizard-stick” and I think this cannot be taken lightly) example of what Bishop has brought to the Dallas Stars table so far. Over the summer, he said in interviews that his approach in taking it one game at a time had played a valuable role in carrying him to playoffs and in his success.

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Now only a handful of games into the season, we can see how this is really a payoff kind of attitude, and one much needed in Dallas. While the dramatic saves are great, and frankly we’ll take just about any save we can get, Bishop’s calm and confident presence in net has also contributed to a much better own-zone experience for the Stars.

Clearly the effect has not been immediate or all-encompassing. The Dallas Stars have struggled to maintain a consistent approach and, of course, Ben Bishop isn’t the only Star on the ice come game time. There are more hurdles still left to jump. However, the confidence that Bishop has exuded behind the Stars seems to be an influencing factor as they progress through the beginning of this season.

The Stars have always needed to work on their mental toughness, and Bishop’s “leave it all on the ice” approach does seem to be seeping into the play of his teammates. Despite some lapses in energy and some errors, the Stars are still pushing to win with a new motivation and hunger.

And sure, it may be due in large part to high expectation and high motivation that comes at the start of a new and promising season. But Bishop is a big part of why this new season continues to be so promising and why we see the Stars’ offense starting to come increasingly out of its shell (by the way- welcome back, Bennguin).

Arguably, the Dallas Stars probably would not have mounted such an impressive tie-blasting rally in the third period and gone on to win 5-4 had it not been for that pretty poke-check from the “lizard stick” of Ben Bishop.

Next: Introducing The New And Improved Tyler Seguin

Will this epic scenario starring Bishop prove to be a recurring one for the Stars in the games to come? I think yes, but only time will tell.

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